The Search for the Duchess’s Husband

She’ll admit it’s far from a complete makeover.

 

But she’s dressed neatly, with no angles.

 

That was enough for her.

 “They all want to marry me because they want the name Edenberg anyway, so it doesn’t matter how I look.” “What are you talking about, I came here to marry you, you should look your best, aren’t you ashamed of the way you look?” 

Looking at Catherine, who was screaming with a bright red face, Artia replied breezily.

“Yes.” “What?!” 

A maid ran in just in time.

 “Mr. William Youngsick has arrived.” 

* * *

 

 

Unfortunately for the eager Catherine, Artia hadn’t been very active in finding a groom.

 

When she did meet a suitor, it was more to escape the pressure of the elders.

 

‘If I don’t like him, I’ll say goodbye right away, and if he’s nice, I’ll ask to see him a few more times.’

 

Artia’s eyes widened as she relaxed and opened the door to the living room.

 

The man sitting arrogantly on the sofa was a hundred million times farther from the handsome man she’d seen in the portrait, with his blind eyes, long nose, and upturned lips.

 

It was beyond the point of embellishment.

 “Isn’t this a scam?” 

She sipped her tea so as not to show her surprise, but the man blurted out the words.

 “The Duchess of Edenberg.” “Yes, please.” 

The man said with a serious look on his face.

 “I am a bachelor.” “Oh, I see.” 

‘What’s all this bachelor talk?’

 

The man looked at Artia, who shook her head, and spoke pointedly.

 “Unlike you, I’m a virgin, and I’m sure you realize the sacrifice I’m making by marrying a woman was once married.” 

Artia grinned at the cocky man.

 “Bachelor, dismissed.” 

Artia treated the man as formally as she would a teddy bear and sent him on his way.

 

She went on to meet other men.

 “Let me ask you this: if you marry me, will you divorce me if you don’t like something about me?”

The man asked, his eyes piercing.

 “I am a widow. I have four children, and I want you to be a good mother to them.”

A man with a paunch shows the portraits of his children.

 “Hm, you look much older than your portrait.”

An older man, lo

oking at least thirty years older than Artia.

 

Artia was only twenty-three.

 

She wasn’t a stunning beauty, but she came from somewhere, and best of all, she had the last name Edenberg.

 “I can’t believe you’ve been divorced once, and your husband’s quality of life has deteriorated to this level…” 

Catherine said as she approached Artia with a furrowed brow.

 “Now that you’ve had enough meetings, find a man you like and meet him again. That’s the only way to get ahead.” “Has there ever been a decent man in your eyes, Mother?” 

Catherine paused at the pointed question before answering.

“Don’t look at them all, just one. Money.”  

She added.

“You’re no longer a virgin, you’re a dishonored divorcee, and you’re in no position to covet anything else.” 

 

* * *

 

 “Artia, I made a new batch, let’s do it. I swear, when you put it on your lips, they’ll shine like freshly washed plums.” 

Dodging Catherine with the fragrant pack, Artia left the mansion with Vivi.

 

This is one good thing about being divorced.

 

She used to have to ask her parents or her husband’s permission to go out, but now she didn’t have to.

 

She deliberately wore a wide-brimmed hat.

 

Partly because the sun was unusually hot, but also because she didn’t want to run into people she only vaguely knew.

 

It covered half of her face.

 

A few nobles passed by, but none of them recognized Artia.

 

This made it easier for her to stop at the bookstore and buy a book.

 

Buying books is the best thing to do when you’re stressed.

 

As she walked down the street, humming to herself, she heard a low voice.

 “Artia von Edenberg.” “……?!” 

‘How did he recognize me?’

 

She turned around in surprise, and there stood a man who shone brighter than the pouring sun.

 

It was Prince Killian.

 

Artia looked at him in awe, then came to her senses and bowed her head.

 “Greeting to the blood of the almighty Orpheus.” 

Madness.

 

Wickedly misogynistic.

 

A man, more dangerous than a wild animal.

 

A low voice spoke from above Artia’s head, which showed no sign of rising.

 “I heard you were busy meeting with suitors, but you seem relaxed.” 

Artia jerked her head up.

“How did you know that?” “The nobles have been talking excitedly. Lady Edenberg has finally begun to allow her suitors to visit.” 

‘An illusion?’

 

Artia thought she saw a glint of displeasure in Killian’s golden eyes.

 “After such a difficult divorce, you’re already looking for a husband.” 

‘Why would the man who helped me get divorced say that?’

 

It’s as if he’s criticizing her.

 

After a desperate struggle, Artia deduced her own answer.

 “Don’t worry, Your Highness, it’s only the urging of the elders in the house, not my impatience. I’ll be very selective, and unlike Lloyd, I’m sure I’ll find a husband you’ll like.” “…….” 

For some reason, his stare grew harsher.

 

Artia swallowed hard, not sure why at the moment.

 

Killian asked in a hushed voice.

“Is there such a man?” 

Oh, how she wished there was.

 “I wouldn’t be surprised if every decent man in the entire realm is married or dead.” 

Kilian’s stern expression softened a bit. 

 “You must have had some bad suitors.” “Very.”  * * *  

Kilian’s lips curled up at the honest answer, as if to say,

“When did you do that?”

 

Artia couldn’t keep up with his rapidly changing emotions.

 

She looked at him like an unknown creature, and suddenly her curiosity was piqued.

 

Killian was considered to be the next emperor. And he was one of the most handsome men in the Empire.

 

It was unusual for such a man to remain unattached until the age of twenty-three.

 

Even if he was a virulent misogynist.

 

Artia opened her mouth, unable to contain her curios

ity.

“Doesn’t the emperor insist that you marry?” “He always does.” “Then how did you get away with it?” 

Not even the most terrifying madman in the world could defy the emperor, who stood at the pinnacle of power.

 “I didn’t. I met every woman he brought with him.”

Killian said, turning to the woman who was adorned from head to toe in glittering jewelry and a dazzling smile.

  

“Cut your hair short. Long hair makes me feel like you’re a snake and I want to cut it all off.”

“Don’t say it. When I hear a high voice, like a bird chirping, it gets on my nerves, and I want to cut out my tongue.”

“Don’t come near me. The smell of strong perfume makes me sick, and I want to erase you from existence.”

  

Killian continued in a sluggish voice.

“Then the woman’s face would turn pale, and she’d run away, and after a few times of this, she’d make no more room for me.” 

Forcing her to sit face to face with him would only add to the rumors of a

“mad king who hates women with a passion!”

 

Killian’s demeanor seemed calm on the surface.

 

But there was a madman inside, a madman of unknown proportions.

 

Artia concluded quickly.

 

It was best to stay away from the madman.

 “Thank you for your advice. I’ll use it with my suitors.” “Make sure you do.” 

Artia looked up at him and said,

“My apologies, Your Highness. I have business of great urgency and importance. Will you kindly allow me to leave?” Visit my Ko-fi for advance chapter discounts!!